Ship of hope confronting beasts of century; Madeleen's mission to save Gaza
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Madeleen ship
Pars Today- Madeleen ship has started a humanitarian and risky voyage amidst genocide and siege of the people of Gaza unleashed by the child-killer regime of Israel.
While the Zionist terrorist gang, called Israel, has attacked the people of Gaza and massacred over 53 thousand civilians and imposed cruel blockade on the region since 7 October, 2023, Madeleen ship, with an exemplary courage, has started a very dangerous journey to help the oppressed people of Gaza. This vessel carries the message of solidarity, hope, and a valuable cargo of humanitarian aid. It has approached the coasts of Gaza and hoisted the flag of resistance and humanity in the waves of the Mediterranean. Pars Today has broached on the mission of this vessel in detail.
Madeleine appellation
The ship has been named "Madeleen" to honor "Madeleen Kolab", the first Palestinian fisherwoman in Palestine to symbolize resistance and struggle.
Who is behind this humane mission?
"The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza", included within the "Freedom Flotilla Coalition"- a movement formed since 2010 to break the siege on Gaza with 36 ships already dispatched for this purpose- has organized this voyage.
When did Madeleen set out?
Madeleen vessel started its 2,000km journey in the Mediterranean on June 1, 2025 from Catania port of Italy. The vessel is now approaching Gaza in the waters of Egypt.
What is the cargo?
According to the organizers, Madeleen carries a meager but symbolic cargo of vital aid including medicine, flour, rice, powdered milk, nappies, women's sanitary products, desalination equipment, sticks and prosthetics for children. Yasemin Acar, human rights activist, stressed in an interview with Al-Jazeera that the aim of this ship is not just taking the relief items to Gaza, but also opening a way to rescue the people of Gaza. Zahra Birawi, head of the committee, called the journey as a cry of love, peace and solidarity; a protest to the silence of governments against the siege and failure to provide the basic needs of more than 2 million Palestinians. She said, "The ship is small, but its message is great: the symbol of accepting responsibility by free nations and a call for ending this crime."
Who are onboard Madeleen?
12 brave activists with various nationalities are onboard the vessel: Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate and social justice activist, Rima Hassan, French-Palestinian member of European Parliament from the "Rebellious France" party, Omar Faiad, Al-Jazeera correspondent, Yanis Mhamdi, journalist of French platform "Blast", Pascal Maurieras, French activist with experience in freedom flotilla missions, Thiago Avila, Brazilian correspondent and long-time advocate of the Palestinian cause, Baptiste Andre, French physician for treating Palestinian wounded, Yasemin Acar, German-Kurdish activist, Reva Viard, French climate activist, Suayb Ordu, Turkish activist, Sergio Toribio, Spanish member of the maritime environment conservation "Sea Shepherd Conservation Society", and Marco van Rennes, Dutch student of shipping engineering.
When will Madeleen reach Gaza?
If everything progresses as the schedule, the ship will reach 100 sea mile distance from the Gaza coasts. Yasemin Acar announced that the ship is moving in the waters of Egypt and the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza has called the hours ahead as "Fateful".
Israeli regime's reaction
The Israeli regime has strongly announced that it would prevent Madeleen's arrival in Gaza and even threatened to exercise force. This reminds of the fatal attack on the ship, "Mavi Marmara" in 2010 which led to martyrdom of 10 Turkish citizens. In May, 2025, Israel attacked "al-Zameer" vessel with drone and, now, media inform of the preparation of naval commandos to stop "Madeleen". Jerusalem Post reported that the Zionist regime military may seize the ship and arrest the activists onboard. Human rights organizations have considered the move as violation of international rules. Reshad al-Baz, one of the organizers of Madeleen told the correspondent of al-Alam, "This vessel (al-Zameer) was attacked with drones that were thought to be Israeli." He reiterated that despite this attack, Madeleen ship continues moving towards Gaza and has arrived in the Egyptian waters a few hours ago.
Why is Israel scared of Madeleen?
- Fear of exposure of crimes: Israel does not like the world to see how it has put the people of Gaza under lethal siege. The arrival of independent aid will disclose the regime's propaganda lies on "security".
- Propaganda defeat: The non-governmental assistance proves that Israel is the main hindrance on the way of aid to reach Gaza and not Hamas. This fake regime, through security pretexts, has deprived everyone, even children and patients, of receiving medicine.
- Fear of global unity: Humanitarian moves unite world people against occupation and genocide unleashed by Israel. This is what happened in BDS campaign.
- Breaking illegal siege: According to the international law, the siege of Gaza is a war crime and these ships question Israel's legitimacy with breaking the siege.
How does the voyage matter?
Madeleen is not only carrying vital assistance, it is also a symbol of civil resistance and cry of protest against the global silence vis-à-vis the catastrophe in Gaza. Madeleen ship is moving bravely towards Gaza amidst the storm of threats; a journey which can open a new page in the history of humane solidarity.
RM/ME
